Economic growth in Estonia was broad-based. In the previous years, the growth was largely due to internal consumption, whereas in 2017, the growth became more broad‑based. The role of household consumption decreased. After years of decline, investments began to increase again as a result of improved economic climate, indicating a positive mind-set of entrepreneurs.

2017 was a record year in world tourism. More foreign tourists visited Estonia than in any of the previous years. 3.5 million domestic and foreign tourists stayed in Estonian accommodation establishments. There were 7% more tourists in accommodation establishments than a year earlier, including 9% more domestic tourists and 5% more foreign tourists. Of those staying in accommodation establishments, by country of residence, the number of Estonian residents increased the most, and of foreign tourists, more tourists arrived from Russia and Latvia. The total number of domestic and foreign tourists who stayed in accommodation establishments set a new record already for the eighth consecutive year.

According to Statistics Estonia, in April 2018, the exports of goods increased by 16% and imports by 13% compared to April 2017. The growth in trade in April of this year was broad-based, with increased exports and imports in both mineral products and mechanical appliances.

According to Statistics Estonia, there were nearly 10,600 job vacancies in the enterprises, institutions and organisations of Estonia in the 1st quarter of 2018. The number of job vacancies did not change compared to the previous quarter but decreased by 6% compared to the 1st quarter of 2017. The number of job vacancies has exceeded 10,000 in the past five quarters.

In 2017, the unemployment rate was 5.8%, the employment rate 67.5% and the labour force participation rate 71.6%. The labour force participation rate increased by 1.2 percentage points and the employment rate by 1.9 percentage points. The unemployment rate decreased by 1 percentage point. Employment and labour force participation remained high throughout 2017, reaching the highest levels in 20 years. The number of inactive persons continued to decline.

According to Statistics Estonia, the change of the consumer price index in May 2018 was 0.3% compared to April 2018 and 3.0% compared to May of the previous year.

According to Statistics Estonia, in April 2018, domestic and foreign tourists staying in accommodation establishments numbered 251,000, which is 3% less than in April 2017. The number of foreign tourists decreased, while the number of domestic tourists stayed at the level of the previous year.

In 2017, exports of goods from Estonia totalled 12.9 billion euros and imports to Estonia 14.7 billion euros at current prices. Trade turnover increased for the second consecutive year, exports grew by 8%, or approximately 1 billion euros and imports grew by 9%, or 1.2 billion euros compared to 2016.

After a few years of stagnation, 2016 can be considered rather successful for enterprises – the turnover, investments as well as the number of active enterprises increased by 4%. The improved results were reflected also in profits – the profit for the reporting year increased by 11%. Productivity indicators improved also.

In June, Statistics Estonia’s electronic data collection channel eSTAT was upgraded with a long-awaited and more consumer-friendly user interface. Data submission in the upgraded environment is easier and the channel itself is more user-friendly.

According to Statistics Estonia, in April 2018, the production of industrial enterprises increased by 2% compared to April 2017. Production increased in manufacturing and in energy, but decreased in mining.

According to Statistics Estonia, the gross domestic product (GDP) of Estonia grew by 3.6% in the first quarter of 2018, compared to the same period of the previous year.